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AeroVironment

Generative AI Engineer

Simi Valley, CA Full time

Worker Type

Regular


Job Description

 

Summary

The Generative AI Engineer, Sr. will be a foundational member of the Generative AI Center of Excellence (CoE). This engineer will design, build, deploy, and maintain proprietary AI solutions that directly support AeroVironment's 'Build' strategy, focusing on accelerating growth and automating operations. This hands-on role will own the technical development and scaling of key internal platforms including AV GPT (our secure enterprise AI portal) and our Agentic Automation framework among other Gen AI initiatives

Position Responsibilities

  • Collaborating with teams to design, build, deploy, and scale Generative AI solutions.

  • Own the full-stack development, enhancement, and scaling of AV GPT, our enterprise AI platform built on frameworks like OpenWebUI, LiteLLM, and PostgreSQL.

  • Design, build, and deploy autonomous 'Agentic Automations' using n8n to automate complex, multi-system business processes for functions like Finance, Operations, SDLC, DevOps etc.

  • Support and scale the Roo Code platform to enhance developer velocity, with a goal of accelerating the SDLC for over 600 engineers.

  • Develop and maintain robust API integrations (using our MCP connectivity layer) to connect GenAI platforms with critical enterprise systems, including Oracle Fusion, Workday, Salesforce, Jira, and Confluence.

  • Implement, manage, and optimize advanced Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines, including embedding strategies and vector database management.

  • Collaborate with stakeholders in Engineering, Finance, HR, and other departments to identify and execute high-value automation opportunities aligned with 'Project Frictionless.'

  • Act as a core technical expert within the CoE, helping to establish best practices, govern AI use, and research new tools and techniques to maintain our competitive advantage.

  • Creates software design documentation according to software process requirements.

  • Delivers work on time according to agreed completion dates and project schedule & budget.

  • Operates in a continuous learning environment and provides guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers.

  • Demonstrates methods and procedures on new assignments and may coordinate activities of other personnel (Team Lead).

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

  • Bachelor’s degree in the field of Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering or related field is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

  • 12+ years of progressive experience designing, developing, and deploying advanced software solutions, including at least 3–5 years of hands-on experience in Generative AI or machine learning systems.

  • Proven expertise in end-to-end solution design, including architecture, API integrations, and data pipeline development across cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP).

  • 8+ years of experience in full-stack development and systems integration, applying design patterns, DevOps best practices, and API frameworks.

  • 8+ years of hands-on experience with relational databases (PostgreSQL preferred), including optimization, fault-tolerance, and secure data access.

  • Proficiency in Python and modern AI development frameworks such as LangChain, LiteLLM, and n8n.

  • Demonstrated success leading or mentoring engineers and contributing to enterprise-scale technical initiatives. Knowledge of the following is a plus:

  • Experience with open-source GenAI front ends like OpenWebUI

  • Experience in a GenAI Center of Excellence (CoE)

  • Familiarity with Oracle Fusion, Workday, or Salesforce

  • Experience supporting AI for C++ code generation

  • Knowledge of Jira and Confluence

  • Strong communication skills: oral presentations, writing, negotiation, active listening, influencing positive team dynamics

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

  • Advanced degree is preferred

  • Uses skills to contribute to development of company objectives and principles to achieve goals in creative and effective ways

  • Exhibits effective interpersonal, listening and communication skills (written and verbal) Communicates ideas in both technical and user-friendly language

  • Successfully works within a multi-project environment and supports multiple internal customers

  • Is successful in working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

  • Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties

  • Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives

  • Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products

  • Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company

Physical Demands

  • Ability to work in an office environment (Constant)

  • Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Environmental Conditions Critical to Performance

  • Work is in an office environment, climate controlled through central air conditioning/heating.

The salary range for this role is:

$176,000 - $249,480

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits:  AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.  For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:  http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply.  NO agencies please.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems.  Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.